Mercedes and Renault continue to work on the noise of the 2014 F1 cars

The issue of noise produced by Formula 1 engines has been redundant and was stirred up again this week by the first test conducted by the Mercedes team of an exhaust shaped like a megaphone, supposedly designed to increase the sound produced at its output.

For Jean Todt, president of the FIA, the sound issue must be addressed, even if he thinks it will soon be put aside: “It’s a matter of taste. I have no problem with the noise, but I must take it into account if many people say they want more noise,” he explained to Autosport.

The Frenchman compares the situation in F1 to that in Endurance: « I have never heard any complaints about the noise at Spa [in the World Endurance Championship]. And in Spain, again, those who complained are louder than those who do not. »

« We asked some motor enthusiasts to prepare a few suggestions, » he continues. « But believe me, in a few months, no one will be talking about the noise anymore. We will have found something else. »

Precisely, did the solution used during the Barcelona tests yield convincing results? According to Nico Rosberg, who was testing it, it was not a success: « Unfortunately, it changes nothing, so we must keep working. As a team, we want – for the sport – to make things louder, so we need to try other solutions, because this was not the right solution. »

Mercedes and Renault continue to work

On the side of the engine manufacturers, research on this issue will not stop. Thus, Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes, explains that his organization will bow to the will of the fans: “We are very clear: if the fans want more noise, and if it makes the car not only louder but if it is perceived as better and more attractive, then we will do it. And then, hopefully, the other teams will be in favor as well.”

He reminds that all the stakeholders in the discipline will need to agree for things to move forward: « As you know, it’s outside of the technical regulations, so if you want something implemented during the season, you need a unanimous vote. There are not many times in the paddock where you get unanimous votes, so it will be interesting. »

Rob White, head of Renault Sport F1, reaffirms the involvement of the diamond brand in such a process, which aims to be collective: « We are fully committed and involved in the work that is underway, led by the FIA. Mercedes shared their initial results from the bench test of this system, the FIA had some acoustic consultants who visited us and had access to the results of our own bench tests, including sound measurements. We are doing additional work in our factory. I would say we are in an exploratory phase, trying to address the issue. »

However, he does not forget the primary philosophy of the V6 hybrid block, whose quieter noise is only a logical outcome: « Obviously, we are also aware that, in terms of noise, the hybrid block does what it says on paper. It uses less energy, it does more, more efficiently, so there is less waste and, ultimately, less noise. »

« But, obviously, the Strategic Group identified the need to try to improve the perception of noise, and that’s what everyone is working on. The next steps, we will work at the factory, we will work with our many teams, » he concluded.